Quick Tips to Updating Your Professional Profile

Whether you’re looking for a new job or just looking to grow your business, it’s always a good time for you to refresh your professional profile. A bio speaks about your reputation, attributes, expertise, and background. When creating a professional profile, it can be difficult to talk yourself up or even describe yourself on paper. Below is short list of tips to help improve your bio or to even get you started right out the door.

Keep your profile short and to the point

When starting a bio, remember that people are busy and when reading a profile, they are looking for something quick and informative. Try to keep your entire bio around 200-300 words, but be sure that it has all the information you need. You may also want to consider how you would like your profile to read. Third-person voice is most appropriate for LinkedIn because it is a business and career oriented site. In contrast, first-person voice is often used when writing a short bio for less formal social media platforms such as Instagram or Facebook.

Start with an attractive, eye-catching headline

If your headline isn’t interesting, your reader will not continue reading. Try to create a positive and creative resolve in 10 words or less. If you don’t want to add a headline, your first sentence needs to be strong and have a hook. Add personality. One of the easiest ways to lose a reader is to make your bio a snoozer. You can spruce it up with well-chosen, colorful words; a splash of humor; and the occasional metaphor.

Your professional experience

When adding in material about you professionally, use information such as how many years have you been in the industry, specific skills you have acquired along the way and any relevance past experience to your current industry. Don’t forget to highlight previous accomplishments from your employment history.

Add in credentials

Adding in your educational credentials is just as important as your actual work experience. Your readers want to see that you acquired a degree from an accredited school. You may add in extra curricular activities here as well such as volunteering or sitting on a board of advisors. Your bio should be updated frequently, especially every time you have another work published or win an award.

Add in personal touches

Include personal information such as where you are from, what are you passionate about and if your business benefits the community you are living in. Showing that you have a life outside of work shows makes you more relatable. Also, some of the skills gained from these activities may transfer to the professional arena. Include a photo. While your introduction connects you to your reader, photos make your bio even more personal by pairing a face with your credentials.

Share via Social Media

Social Media is also a great way to get your profile out into the world. If deciding to go this route, you want to shorten your bio for the specific outlet your are using. You can include social links in your profile if you wish to have an extended version or if you would like your readers to find out more information about you.